Happenings in St. Franciville, La.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Happenings

Farmer’s Market

The Farmer’s Market is open every Thursday from noon until 5 pm at the old 4-H Barn on Wilcox Street – and they’ll be there until the first frost! Lots of fall vegetables are available as well as pumpkins of all sizes. Come out and support our local farmers!

Haunted Hayrides

This is something new this year, and it sounds like so much fun! The Pumpkin Patch is located at 11371 Highway 965 in St. Francisville, and children’s hayrides will be offered beginning on Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25, and then again from Thursday, October 29 through Halloween on October 31. The rides are 25 to 35 minutes long, cost $7 per person, and are from 7:30 pm until 10:30 pm. For more information, call 245-1307 or 978-2342.

Party in the Ville

Those wild women are back and planning another night of art, cocktails, appetizers, and fun! On Thursday, October 15 at 7 pm, at Sage Hill, the featured artist is Sally Bynum. You bring the cocktails and the appetizers, paint supplies, and fun are supplied! The artist gives step-by-step instructions so you can paint your own piece of art to take home. The cost is only $35 so make your reservation by calling 635-6596.

Pumpkins, Scarecrows and a Movie – Changed Venue

The St. Francisville Main Street Program is sponsoring pumpkin carving and scarecrow decorating at the West Feliciana Sports Park on Friday, October 16 starting at 5:30 pm, under the pavilion. They’ll provide the pumpkins and the hay – you bring the old clothes to decorate your scarecrow. The movie is Coraline in 3-D, and 3-D glasses will be given out. The Women’s Service League will be selling concessions, and admittance is a canned good for the West Feliciana Food Bank. The movie starts at dark so bring your chairs or a blanket and join us for the fun!

Live Music at The Mag

October 16 – United We Jam; October 23 – Signs; and October 30 – Delta Drifters. There are also two Saturday night ticketed performances: Saturday, October 17 – Captain Legendary Band; and Saturday, October 24 – Lee Barber & the Broken Cup Band. Each of these Saturday performances have a $10 cover charge.

A Taste of Alaska

The Carriage House Restaurant at The Myrtles will have wild caught Fresh Alaskan Halibut and Salmon for the weekend menu. It will arrive from Alaska just in time to treat that special someone to dinner this Friday or Saturday night. What a treat!

Third Weekend Events

Avondale Antiques will be open this weekend. Store hours are Friday and Saturday, 9 am until 5pm, and Sunday from 11 am until 5 pm.

The Arts for All Artists’ Market is on Saturday in front of BirdMan Coffee and Books.

Lost Arts Saturday

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site presents its monthly program on 19^th century arts. Lost Arts: Spanish Moss Preparation will be held on Saturday, October 17 from 11 am until 3 pm. Demonstrations of the "Lost Arts" of the 19th century occurring every third Saturday of each month. For more information call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

Southern Garden Symposium

This year marks the 21^st year of the Southern Garden Symposium which attracts garden enthusiasts from across the South and will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 16-17. Workshops will be held at various sites throughout beautiful West Feliciana Parish. For more information, visit www.SouthernGardenSymposium.org or call Lucie Cassity, 225-635-3738.

Angola Prison Rodeo

Here is the information on the rodeo again: Gates open at 9:00 am for the arts and crafts show, and the rodeo starts at 2:00 pm. Ticket cost $10 each and can be purchased before the rodeo by calling 655-2042 or 655-2041. Tickets for just the hobby craft event are also on sale. During the Rodeo, the Prison Museum will be open from 9 am until 7 pm, and there will be booths on the rodeo grounds selling t-shirts and other items from the Museum Gift Shop. For more information call (225) 655-2607 or visit www.angolarodeo.com.

Sunday Mystery Tour

The Myrtles Plantation is offering a Sunday night Mystery Tour at 6 pm. It’s a great way to end the day after watching the rodeo – more chills and thrills! Mystery tours are also offered every Friday and Saturday at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm. Reservations are suggested so call 225-635-6277 to make your plans today.

Yellow Leaf Arts Festival

Arts for All of St. Francisville sponsors this unique, original festival which will be held in the tree covered Parker Park from 10 until 5, Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. The Yellow Leaf Arts Festival celebrates our small, intimate atmosphere and love of art and artists! Stroll around the park to find authentic art - from paintings to pottery, sculpture, mixed media, metal, jewelry and more. This weekend is a wonderful mix of art, music, poetry and nature. Musical performances include the West Feliciana Parish children’s chorus, The Mosspickers, The Laughing Lizards String Bank, Kim Smith, Karuna Spoon, Lee Barber and the Broken Cup, Nancy Roppolo’s songwriter circle, Dylan Sneed with Judd and Maggie, and The Fugitive Poets. For more information call Lynn at 721-1296 or email her at birdmancoffee@bellsouth.net.

Book Sale

The Friends of the Library is once again having their annual Book Sale on Saturday, October 24, from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm at the St. Francisville Town Hall. There will be lots of books, DVDs, CDs and great prices! All proceeds benefit the West Feliciana Parish Library.

Methodist Church Folk Choir

You are invited to join the United Methodist Church Folk Choir for an evening of gospel, country and folk music on Sunday, October 25. The Methodist Men will serve a pancake supper at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall on Fidelity Street, and the Folk Choir will present music in the Sanctuary starting at about 6:15 pm. All donations will benefit the Highway 61 property fund.

Halloween Extravaganza at The Myrtles

For a real Halloween treat, take a guided tour through “One of America’s Most Haunted Homes,” The Myrtles Plantation, circa 1796. It’s a Halloween Experience like no other! Tours will be ongoing from 6 until 10 p.m. on Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st. Admission is $10 per person, and tickets will be sold at the door. Food and beverages by The Carriage House Restaurant will be available throughout the weekend event for indoor dining, or choose from hamburgers, BBQ chicken, pizza and concessions in The Courtyard. For additional information, call 800-809-0565 or email chloe@myrtlesplantation.com.

Halloween at Rosedown

On Saturday, October 31, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be in mourning as Rosedown Staff re-enacts the wake and funeral service of Daniel Turnbull, the plantation’s original owner and builder. Turnbull was laid to rest on October 31, 1861, shortly after the commencement of the Civil War. Funeral and mourning customs of the 19th century followed strict traditions and formalities, and in keeping with the event, the main house will be decorated according to 19th century mourning customs, and re-enactors will be dressed throughout the day in 19th century-style mourning costumes. The funeral service will be held in the Informal Parlor of the Main House at 4 pm.

Following the funeral service, Rosedown Plantation will be visited by members of the historic Turnbull-Bowman family, as the Plantation opens its doors for a rare evening of “ghost” tours in celebration of the Halloween season. At 5:30 pm visitors are invited to take a candlelight tour through the Plantation Main House as living history presenters portray the spirits of family members who have returned from their graves. Each of the “spirits” will speak about their former lives at Rosedown and share reminiscences from their pasts. Admission charged. For more information, call 635-3110.

Bits and Pieces

HGTV is casting what it calls "enthusiastic" Baton Rouge area homebuyers and Realtors to appear on House Hunters, which follows buyers and their agents as they search for the right home. High Noon Entertainment, which produces the popular show, is currently looking for homebuyers who are closing within the next 1-2 months (this includes buyers who are actively bidding on a home or newly under contract); fun, enthusiastic and have a great story to tell; and are purchasing within a 90-minute drive of Baton Rouge, Lafayette and surrounding areas. To learn more about House Hunters, click here for the HGTV site and here for the High Noon site. To apply, contact Associate Producer Marcia Neville by phone at (303) 712-3209 or by e-mail at mneville@highnoontv.com.

Congratulations to Sue Wilbert Turner!

On Tuesday, the Inter-Civic Council and The Advocate recognized Sue Turner for her many years of work with museums and in historic restoration and preservation, naming her the recipient of the 68th annual Golden Deeds Award. Mrs. Turner has received national recognition for her preservation and advisory work with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She is also a member of the Louisiana Museum Foundation, served on the board of directors for the Louisiana State Museum, and is a board of trustees member and adviser on the National Trust, a member of the board of directors for the BREC Foundation, and founding member of Louisiana Association of Museums.

Some of Turner’s notable accomplishments include her efforts and those of others to save Magnolia Mound Plantation’s historic house from developers who in the mid-1960s had proposed using the site for condominiums. Turner and her husband also restored Live Oak Plantation in St. Francisville.

Our Schools are Tops!

West Feliciana Parish schools are the top performing parish-wide school system in the state, second overall to Zachary Community Schools, but ahead of third place St. Tammany Parish. Congratulations to our teachers, principals, West Feliciana School Board members and the School Board Staff who do such an outstanding job every year for our children!

Have a great week!

Kitty Martin, LCTP

Executive Director

West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission

225-635-4224 / 800-789-4221

www.stfrancisville.us

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Happenings

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, October 9 – Kristin Diable; October 16 – United We Jam; Saturday, October 17 – Captain Legendary Band. The Saturday performance has a $10 cover charge.

Farmer’s Market

The Farmer’s Market is open every Thursday from noon until 5 pm at the old 4-H Barn on Wilcox Street – and they’ll be there until the first frost! Come out and support our local farmers!

Angola Prison Rodeo

Gates open at 9:00 am for the arts and crafts show, and the rodeo starts at 2:00 pm. Ticket cost $10 each and can be purchased before the rodeo by calling 655-2042 or 655-2041. Tickets for just the hobby craft event are also on sale. During the Rodeo, the Prison Museum will be open from 9 am until 7 pm, and there will be booths on the rodeo grounds selling t-shirts and other items from the Museum Gift Shop. For more information call (225) 655-2607 or visit www.angolarodeo.com.

Construction and Traffic

I heard about the heavy traffic this past Sunday after the rodeo on Highway 61. Let’s all remember that with a little preparation and a lot of patience, things should go much smoother. And be kind – let someone merge into traffic. You won’t get there any later! And don’t forget - be careful out there!

Sunday Mystery Tour

1779 in Baton Rouge

The largest battle in the American Revolutionary War fought in Louisiana was the Battle of Baton Rouge and on Saturday, October 10, from 10am-4pm, this largely forgotten battle will be remembered at Audubon State Historic Site. On September 21st, 1779 the Spanish General Bernardo Galvez along with American troops captured the British military post and garrison at Baton Rouge ending British control of the Mississippi Valley and river. This year will actually mark the 230th anniversary of the event, and this program will begin the series of programs held at Audubon to commemorate the movement of West Feliciana from Spanish Territory to the West Florida Rebellion of 1810. Visitors can experience the sights and sounds of 1779 through seeing the soldiers' camps, a musket demonstration, talks and much more. An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

Pumpkins, Scarecrows and a Movie

The St. Francisville Main Street Program is sponsoring pumpkin carving and scarecrow decorating at Parker Park on Friday, October 16 starting at 5:30 pm. They’ll provide the pumpkins and the hay – you bring the old clothes to decorate your scarecrow. (I’m almost finished with mine so look for it in the window of the Museum and Information Center on Ferdinand Street!) The movie is Coraline in 3-D, and 3-D glasses will be given out. The Women’s Service League will be selling concessions, and admittance is a canned good for the West Feliciana Food Bank. The movie starts at dark so bring your chairs or a blanket and join us for the fun!

Southern Garden Symposium

The Myrtles on TV

Last night, Tuesday, The Myrtles Plantation was all over TV! The SciFi Channel feature Ghost Hunters had the 2005 visit by TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), and the Discovery Channel also featured a 2009 visit by Ghost Lab. Congratulations!

Book Sale

Coming Events

October 24 and 25 – Yellow Leaf Arts Festival

October 25 – United Methodist Folk Choir concert and pancake supper

October 30 and 31 – Halloween Extravaganza at The Myrtles

November 7 – Community Treasure Sale Day

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Happenings

Construction and Traffic

Because of all the construction on Highway 61 and all the events we have this month, please know that traveling through the parish will take a bit longer. Add to that the rodeo traffic, and it could be a nightmare! With a little preparation and a lot of patience, things should go much smoother.

Farmer’s Market

Last week I got some pumpkins, and there were many to choose from and in all sizes. There was still okra, potatoes, eggplants and bell peppers, and more vegetables. One farmer even had sweet potatoes! There were cut flower arrangements as well as plants for your garden. The Farmer’s Market is open every Thursday from noon until 5 pm at the old 4-H Barn on Wilcox Street – and they’ll be there until the first frost!

Live Music at The Mag

Each Friday the Magnolia Café offers live music on the screened porch. October’s line up includes: October 2 – 5D Band; October 9 – Kristin Diable; October 16 – United We Jam; October 23 – Signs; and October 30 – Delta Drifters. There are also two Saturday night ticketed performances: Saturday, October 17 – Captain Legendary Band; and Saturday, October 24 – Lee Barber & the Broken Cup Band. Each of these Saturday performances have a $10 cover charge.

Did you Know: 19th Century Schooling

On Saturday October 3, from 11 am - 2 pm, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, the interpretive staff will present this program which will discuss the schooling and methods used during the nineteenth century. For more information call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

Nature Day at Audubon State Historic Site

Saturday, October 3, is Nature Day at Audubon State Historic Site, and the interpretive staff has a full day of outdoor programs scheduled. Here’s the list:

Ecosystem of Audubon State Historic Site at 10am: This one-hour program will focus on one of the many ecosystems found at ASHS. Guests are invited to explore the nature around the park, and learn about how the different habitats and creatures interact with each other.

Tree Identification Walk at 11am: This program focuses on a more specific aspect of nature, and allows guests to Audubon SHS the chance to learn about the forest that surrounds them. The identification walk covers the park and discusses many of the important and significant trees found here.

Guided Nature Hike at 1:00 pm and again at 3:00pm: A short hiking tour of Audubon SHS. The hike focuses on the naturally forested area surrounding the plantation home as well as the original paths, which John James Audubon would have used during his stay at Oakley in 1821. The program allows guests a chance to observe the natural beauty, which surrounds the home.

Plants and Animals of Oakley at 2pm: This program invites guests to interact with the animal and plant life surrounding Audubon SHS. There will be hands on animal demonstrations as well as introductions to the plants that one should be most aware of when hiking the grounds at Audubon SHS. An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

Angola Prison Rodeo

Every Sunday in October you can enjoy “The Wildest Show in the South” and/or a day of shopping for arts and crafts. The rodeo features bull riding, bareback riding, the wild horse race, barrel racing, bull-dogging, wild cow milking, rodeo clowns and more, in a recently expanded arena. Gates open 9:00 am for the arts and crafts show, and the rodeo starts at 2:00 pm. Ticket cost $10 each and can be purchased before the rodeo by calling 655-2042 or 655-2041. Tickets for just the hobbycraft event are also on sale. During the Rodeo, the Prison Museum will be open from 9 am until 7 pm, and there will be booths on the rodeo grounds selling t-shirts and other items from the Museum Gift Shop. For more information call (225) 655-2607 or visit www.angolarodeo.com.

Garden Talk

On Sunday October 4 at 10:30am, Audubon State Historic Site offers this program which introduces the different plants found in the gardens of Audubon SHS. The talk covers the history and origin of the plants as well as their uses both modern and historic. An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

Life in a Slave Cabin

Also on Sunday, October 4, this hour long program is held at Audubon State Historic Site's original slave cabins and allows guests to have a better understanding about what life was like for slaves on a plantation. This program starts at noon and covers family life and customs as well as discussing housing accommodations, rations, etc. An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

Cooking in Slave Cabin Row

This program is set for Sunday, October 4 at 1:30pm, and invites guests to Audubon SHS to observe the types of cooking used by slaves for themselves. The program will discuss not only what slaves ate and how they cooked it, but also the differences between their meals and that of the owner of the plantation. An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

Plantation Crafts

Continuing with the slave experience at Audubon State Historic Site, this hour long program invites the guests to observe one of the many period handcrafts, which would have been done by a slave on a plantation. These crafts would be some of the same skills from which the plantation itself would have been built. It begins at 3 pm on Sunday, October 4. An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

1779 in Baton Rouge

On September 21st, 1779 the Spanish General Bernardo Galvez along with American troops captured the British military post and garrison at Baton Rouge ending British control of the Mississippi Valley and river. This was the largest battle in the American Revolutionary War fought in Louisiana. Today this largely forgotten battle is remembered at Audubon State Historic Site. This year will actually mark the 230th anniversary of the event, and this program on Saturday October 10, from 10am-4pm, will begin the series of programs held at Audubon to commemorate the movement of West Feliciana from Spanish Territory to the West Florida Rebellion of 1810. Visitors can experience the sights and sounds of 1779 through seeing the soldiers' camps, a musket demonstration, talks and much more. An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

Movie Under the Stars

The St. Francisville Main Street Program will once again have movie night at Parker Park on Friday, October 16, and this one is in 3-D! Coraline is the feature, and 3-D glasses will be given out. The Women’s Service League will be selling concessions. Admittance is a canned good for the West Feliciana Food Bank. The movie starts at dark!

Southern Garden Symposium

This year marks the 21^st year of the Southern Garden Symposium which attracts garden enthusiasts from across the South and will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 16-17. The symposium will begin with a series of workshops on Friday, October 16. Attendees may select two of the following:

A Colorful Season – Mr. Joe Smith

Spice Up Your Garden with Heat-Loving Plants – Dr. Jeff Kuehny

Azaleas A to Z – Mrs. Margie Jenkins & Mr. Buddy Lee

Gardening Through the Seasons – Dr. William Barrick

The $60 cost per person for the Friday workshops includes lunch at Afton Villa Gardens. On Friday evening, the speakers will be honored at a special gala at Greenwood Plantation. This cocktail buffet is open to all Symposium participants and their guests, $45 per person.

Saturday lecture programs will take place at the beautiful setting of Hemingbough in St. Francisville.

The program will include:

Forget Plants: Start with Design – Mr. Tres Fromme

Historic Plants for Today’s Gardens – Ms. Peggy Cornett

Slow Gardening: Getting the Most Out of Your Landscape – Mr. Felder Rushing

The day will conclude with afternoon tea at Brasseaux House. The $60 cost per person for the Saturday symposium includes all lectures, lunch at Hemingbough, and tea at Brasseaux House.

The Southern Garden Symposium welcomes groups and individuals who wish to travel to St. Francisville for this special event. For a brochure or information regarding overnight accommodations, visit www.SouthernGardenSymposium.org; call Lucie Cassity, 225-635-3738; or write to the Southern Garden Symposium, P. O. Box 2075, St. Francisville, LA 70775

Yellow Leaf Arts Festival

Methodist Church Folk Choir

You are invited to join the United Methodist Church Folk Choir for an evening of gospel, country and folk music on Sunday, October 25. The Methodist Men will serve a pancake supper at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall on Felicity Street, and the Folk Choir will present music in the Sanctuary starting at about 6:15 pm. All donations will benefit the Highway 61 property fund.

Halloween Extravaganza at The Myrtles